Up the Mississippi came the Whippoorwill
Commanded by the captain, Mr. Steamboat Bill
The order came out on a strict QT
That we’re out to break the record of the Robert E. Lee

(Chorus)
Steamboat Bill, chuggin’ down the Mississippi
Steamboat Bill, mighty man was he
Steamboat Bill, chuggin’ down the Mississippi
Out to break the record of the Robert E. Lee

Up stepped the gambler in Louisville
Tried to place a bet against the Whippoorwill
Said Billy to the gambler, “Well it just ain’t fair.”
And the boiler blew up, and they flew into the air

Said Billy to the gambler as they left the deck
“I don’t know where we’re going, but we’re neck-and-neck.”
Said the gambler to Billy, “Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do,
I’ll bet another thousand I go higher than you!”

Billy and the gambler were not to be found
Some say they never even hit the ground
Well the boat was gone and there’s nothing left to see
But they still broke the record of the Robert E. Lee